What is company culture?

Company culture is the environment that develops based on the workplace’s values, beliefs, management style, behaviors and procedural norms. It’s generally defined by employees’ interpretation of the collective work experience.

Why work culture is important for attracting candidates

Salary and benefits are often important to job seekers, but many candidates also want to feel like they’re a valued part of your team. Some workers might appreciate a highly collaborative structure within a laid-back environment.

The ideal work atmosphere isn’t the same for every employee. By sharing what makes your organization unique, you can recruit candidates who may be more likely to succeed in your company’s environment.

How you describe your company culture in job descriptions may affect how candidates perceive your company. It can help them decide whether it has an environment that matches their values and preferences, potentially persuading them to apply.

Ways to share work culture

You might share your company culture with job seekers through:

• Company website: Consider designing a separate page with team testimonials about the company culture and photos that reinforce the ideas. Linking your career page to the culture page may encourage job seekers to read more.
• Job advertisements: Including information about your company’s culture can improve job postings.
• Job site profiles: When your company posts on job sites, you can typically add a company description. Consider including work culture details in this area.
• Interviews: Candidates may be familiar with the work environment when interviewing with your company. However, your hiring managers can reinforce and elaborate on that knowledge by discussing work culture during the interview.
• Social media: Your team can share videos and photos on the company’s social media platforms to highlight culture. Having employees share their perspectives can help attract more applicants.

Tips for promoting culture in job descriptions

Job descriptions may be the first interaction prospective employees have with your organization. Consider how you list the benefits, job duties and other details.

Use words that describe culture well

Choose words that represent the general atmosphere of your workplace.For example, if the job description describes the culture of an office with a casual dress code, use language that reflects the laid-back atmosphere.

If your organization is more formal, your job description might be written in a professional tone to match the work environment.

Use original terms

Avoid using clichés to ensure your company culture descriptions stand out among competitors.

For example, instead of “Work hard, play hard,” try:

• “We balance challenging projects with opportunities for relaxation and team bonding.”
• “We encourage both focused work and team celebrations.”

Instead of “Fast-paced environment,” try:

• “We work on tight deadlines and prioritize efficiency.”
• “We adapt quickly to changing priorities and move projects forward rapidly.”

Instead of “Team-oriented,” try:

• “Collaboration is key to our success; we work closely together on projects.”
• “We have a supportive team environment where everyone’s contributions are valued.”

Instead of “We’re a family,” try:

• “We foster a supportive team environment.”
• “We champion each other’s successes and offer help when needed.”

Provide factual, usable information that helps job seekers envision what it’s like to be an employee.

Highlight job perks

Consider detailing your company’s unique job perks to show why employees like working there, such as:

• Coffee and snacks
• Team building trips
• PTO, including floating holidays
• Housing assistance, including relocation
• Gym memberships
• Casual dress codes
• Paid volunteer days
• Commuter benefits
• Virtual wellness programs
• Online or in-person meditation classes

Your HR team might ask long-term employees what company benefits they like the most. Employee engagement surveys can also help your HR staff determine which benefits to mention in the job description.

Mention flexible hours and remote work

Describing the flexibility of the job, such as working from alternative locations or choosing working hours, may help candidates envision themselves working for the company. It can also inform candidates the company values work-life balance.

Describe office design or location benefits

Adding appealing information about the company’s location could intrigue job seekers. You might include:

• A downtown area with shops and entertainment
• Picturesque views from the office
• Free parking
• Accessibility via major roadways
• Close proximity to public transportation lines

Promote career development

Candidates may prefer to apply for a position that offers growth opportunities. Showing your support for career development might include on-site training, reimbursements for conferences or mentorship programs.

Candidates may want to know how your company structures career advancement. A company with internal advancement opportunities lets candidates know the leadership team invests in its employees.

Show you value their work

A job description showing appreciation for the role and how it supports company success can make candidates feel valued before they start working for the organization. Candidates may decide to apply if they believe your company acknowledges employees’ efforts.

Highlight a collaborative office culture

Candidates generally consider whether a company offers independent or collaborative work opportunities. You might detail how much autonomy is expected or how the role interacts with other positions.

FAQs about work culture descriptions

How often should a company revise its corporate culture statement?

Consider reviewing work culture descriptions yearly to ensure they align with the organization’s direction. It can also be helpful to revise documents related to work culture after any company changes, such as an expansion, merger, leadership change or periods of fast growth.

What are signs that an organization’s culture needs to be improved?

Your leadership team may want to improve its company culture if organization statistics, including the turnover rate and employee satisfaction ratings, suggest room for improvement.